Tele-medicine facility for prisoners
Prisoners across the country are facing number of problems. One of the main problems is over-crowding due to increase in numbers which is much more than the capacity of the present arrangements. As a result of over-crowding, several health-related issues are emerging continuously. Most of these prisoners are under trials and continue to be so for a prolonged period in view of the inordinate delays in completing the trials. Ensuring sound health of the prisoners is State responsibility. Whenever any prisoner complains about health issues, the Medical Officer present in prison attends to the same and in cases required refers the prisoner to nearby Civil hospital or medical college for further treatment. To take the prisoner to medical facility, it is mandatory to have adequate police guard and police vehicle for safety of the prisoner.
It is noticed, that in view of large numbers of prisoners, and due to their pressing requirements, the police are notable to carry out this responsibility in time. Police vehicles are also not available at number of times. This gives rise to serious complaints from prisoners. It also breeds corrupt practices to jump the queue. Section of prisoners also demand reference to medical facility to avoid the rigours of prison and threaten the medical officers to admit them in hospital.
In a separate development, Ministry of Health has launched National Health Mission. Under this scheme, every medical college has been equipped with web cameras and the doctors on duty facilitate tele-medical counselling to those who are needy and stationed remotely. The facility is provided by charging rupees hundred per person.
In prisons, Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with Ministry of Law and Justice has launched video conferencing facility in prisons. Through this every prison is equipped with video cameras and supporting network. This facility is used for conducting e-trials whenever required. This is functioning satisfactorily.
Taking advantage of technology, video conferencing scheme was launched in all prisons in Maharashtra from 2016-2019. All prisons were linked to nearby medical colleges through video conferencing. Medical officer in prison would prepare detailed note about heath requirements of every prisoner needing reference to medical expert from nearby medical college and email the note to the concerned expert in advance. After examining the same, the medical expert fixed appropriate time slot to advise the prisoner patient in the presence of medical officer from the prison. The expert then recommended certain course of treatment and a record was kept accordingly. In case the expert felt, he used to advise physical presence of the prisoner patient and the same was arranged by prison authorities. Under this arrangement, nearly 20,000 prisoner patients were provided medical treatment. The prisoners were highly satisfied with the arrangements and recorded their sense of relief from time to time.
Following the outbreak of Corona 2019, the arrangement came to sudden halt, in view of the tremendous burden on all medical colleges. The practice remains discontinued even though the outbreak is now behind.
For reasons, explained above, it is imperative that under the guidance of Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs, all State governments and Union Territories consider immediate steps to implement this arrangement in all prisons and video link these to nearby medical colleges/hospitals to promote welfare of the prisoners, who are the responsibility of the State.
